Preview — Trial by Desire
by Courtney Milan

In the three years since her husband left her, Lady Kate Carhart has managed to forge a fulfilling life for herself. But when Ned Carhart unexpectedly returns, she finds her tranquility uprooted --- and her deepest secrets threatened. Though she has no intention of falling for Ned's charms, Kate can no longer deny the desire that stSHE CANNOT FORGET THE FIRE HE IGNITED ...

In the three years since her husband left her, Lady Kate Carhart has managed to forge a fulfilling life for herself. But when Ned Carhart unexpectedly returns, she finds her tranquility uprooted --- and her deepest secrets threatened. Though she has no intention of falling for Ned's charms, Kate can no longer deny the desire that still burns in her heart.

OR THE PROMISE OF HIS LOVE ...

Ned is determined to regain his wife's trust by using unbridled seduction. But just as Kate surrenders to Ned's passion, her carefully guarded past threatens to destroy her. Now Kate must place her faith in the only man she's ever loved, and the only one who has ever betrayed her ......more

Community Reviews

DNF at halfway point, just not feeling the romance and not caring about the hero or heroine. It was original so I can see why many gave it 5-stars, but for me I just couldn't quit skimming as I wasn't being pulled into the story. I really wanted to like it as I so enjoyed her debut, so I will read more by this author. There was a lot of 'telling' and not as much 'showing' going on too, and while it was done well for me it was just too much narrative.

Ned Carhart left his wife Kate a mere three months after their marriage to go to China at the behest of his cousin to check out what was going on with the British and the Opium situation and to find himself. At the point of their marriage Ned considers himself something of a useless fribble with no responsibilities.

Kate is stunned and bereft.

Fast forward three years later and a lot has changed. Kate rescues women who are victims of domestic abuse and helps them to leave their husbands and relocNed Carhart left his wife Kate a mere three months after their marriage to go to China at the behest of his cousin to check out what was going on with the British and the Opium situation and to find himself. At the point of their marriage Ned considers himself something of a useless fribble with no responsibilities.

Kate is stunned and bereft.

Fast forward three years later and a lot has changed. Kate rescues women who are victims of domestic abuse and helps them to leave their husbands and relocate. Ned is back, strong in body and and somewhat stronger in mind, ready to take on the responsibilities of both a husband and as the heir presumptive of a Marquisate.

The two find their way back to each other. Ned still dealing with his demons while Kate is helping her riskiest 'rescue' yet, a wealthy lady of the ton whose powerful husband is relentless about getting her back.

This is only my second Courtney Milan book after the novella Unlocked and I must say I did not enjoy this one as much as I did that one.

There are three main things happening here: First, is the plot with Kate hiding her friend Louisa from her blatantly misogynistic husband the Earl of Harcroft; Second is the repairing of the sundered marriage of Kate and Ned; And third are the personal demons that Ned fights each day, which can clearly be seen as some form of Bipolarism or at the very least chronic depression (or maybe just a really extreme case of Seasonal Affective Disorder). This being the 19th century, of course, there is no diagnosis nor drugs for it, so Ned has to deal the best he can.

My problem is that of the three elements of the book, I only truly enjoyed the first. The plot to save Louisa from her husband was really exciting to read. But unfortunately that is not enough to carry the entire book that is supposed to be a romance novel.

The second element of the book -- the reparation of the marriage -- is continually derailed by the third element of the book, Ned's state of mind. The thing is, Ned's inner (and outer) dialogue about his 'winter of bleakness' feelings that sometimes come over him consumed the book and not in a good way, imo. Kate kept trying so hard to connect with him and he obfuscated. It was maddening to read. He was so emo! I couldn't take it after awhile.

Toward the end, I found myself skimming to read the parts that involved Louisa and her dastardly husband. Kate and Ned had lost me by that point.

I was one of the readers of Courtney Milan’s debut novel, Proof by Seduction, who finished that book hoping that Ned Carhart, cousin to Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, would get his own story. Trial by Desire is Ned’s story, but Ned is no longer the confused boy of POS; he is now a man, tempered by the hard experiences of three years in China. He returns to his home and his marriage, determined to uncover the secrets his wife is safeguarding even as he protects his own secret.

Trial by DI was one of the readers of Courtney Milan’s debut novel, Proof by Seduction, who finished that book hoping that Ned Carhart, cousin to Gareth Carhart, the Marquess of Blakely, would get his own story. Trial by Desire is Ned’s story, but Ned is no longer the confused boy of POS; he is now a man, tempered by the hard experiences of three years in China. He returns to his home and his marriage, determined to uncover the secrets his wife is safeguarding even as he protects his own secret.

Trial by Desire is a more complex story than Milan’s first novel. The relationship of Ned and Kate takes place as they play their parts in the grimmer story of Kate’s friend Laura, sister of the Marquess of Blakely and wife of Viscount Beeton. The dual strands of the story make the reader aware of the darkness within an individual and within a society where coverture denies a married woman’s very existence as a separate, autonomous being.

This is a beautifully written, intelligent tale that raises questions about the definition of “strength” and affirms the transformative power of love.

Note: I received a free electronic Advance Review Copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley....more

I was first turned on (pun intended) to Courtney Milan thanks to Stacey's review of Proof by Seduction. Which I also ended up loving and have been eagerly anticipating this sequel for some time now!

I wasn't sure if Trial by Desire could live up to Proof by Seduction. Especially because in Poof by Seduction Ned was kind of a fuck-up. Sure, I liked him and felt sorry for him but I was wondering how Milan was going to turn Ned into hero material. But hero material he turned out to be!

Ned, determinI was first turned on (pun intended) to Courtney Milan thanks to Stacey's review of Proof by Seduction. Which I also ended up loving and have been eagerly anticipating this sequel for some time now!

I wasn't sure if Trial by Desire could live up to Proof by Seduction. Especially because in Poof by Seduction Ned was kind of a fuck-up. Sure, I liked him and felt sorry for him but I was wondering how Milan was going to turn Ned into hero material. But hero material he turned out to be!

Ned, determined to prove his self worth, has spent the last three years working in China to sort out his cousin's business issues overseas.In the process, he has transformed from the joking, bumbling screw-up to a man this in strict control of all his emotions.

During his absence, his wife Kate has spend her time shopping and gossiping, or so she's lead all of society to believe. When, in fact, she has been fighting off a number of would be 'suitors' vying to win the attentions of the woman abandoned by her husband. In additon,Kate has been taking on monumental tasks like hiding her best friend from her abusive husband, hardly the acts of the oblivious socialite she's accused of being. And, in a time, when women were still considered property, helping her friend could put Kate in a great deal of danger.

When Ned and Kate reunite a battle of wits and seduction ensues.However, Kate is still hurt by Ned's abandonment and Ned is determined not to let his emotional guard down, especially where his wife is concerned. She is the one person who could unravel it all.

I have to say I think the book's description is a bit misleading. It says that "Ned is determined to regain his wife’s trust by using unbridled seduction." However, Kate is the one that is pushing for both physical and emotional intimacy but Ned is afraid of losing his grip on his hard won control.

I love how Milan manages to balance a slew of intense topics: abuse, betrayal, and depression with romance without having it feel like some historical soap opera. Instead she weaves a tale of strength, redemption, forgiveness, and love. Courtney Milan is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

If you haven't already, I'd highly recommend reading Proof by Seduction before picking up Trial by Desire, but it's not necessary to read them in order. Trial by Desire is out now, what are you waiting for?! Go get it!...more

A beautiful story about estranged husband and wife. This is one of the few estranged romance stories I have ever read and liked. The best part of this romance was that both the heroine and the hero were true to one another throughout their separation. It wasn't like other stories where the hero/heroine profess to love the other, but then actually proceed to gallivant with other people.

Smoothly written story, a confident heroine who rescues abused women and a hero that battles depression should have been an angsty historical romance so why was it a struggle to maintain interest in this book? It felt tedious.

The StoryAfter three years abroad, Ned Carhart returns to England and his wife. He had left to conquer his inner demons and now has control over the melancholia that nearly destroyed him. The fear still lingers that he may sink into the pit of despGrade: C - or weak 3 stars

Smoothly written story, a confident heroine who rescues abused women and a hero that battles depression should have been an angsty historical romance so why was it a struggle to maintain interest in this book? It felt tedious.

The StoryAfter three years abroad, Ned Carhart returns to England and his wife. He had left to conquer his inner demons and now has control over the melancholia that nearly destroyed him. The fear still lingers that he may sink into the pit of despair so he maintains a rigid command of his passions, environment, and actions. Ned knows his dauntless wife is keeping secrets soon after his return. His goal is to gain her trust and prove he is able to protect her.

After three months of marriage, Kate’s husband left on a long-term business venture. It left her feeling abandoned and lonely. Ned leaving also gave her the opportunity to pursue her secret activity of providing safe passage and/or shelter to battered women. The latest woman she shelters is the Earl of Harcroft’s wife and three month old infant. Harcroft is distantly related to Ned and a friend of the family. Kate longs to establish an intimacy with her husband. She wants to reveal why she acts the role of frivolous wife. She aches for someone to confide in. Can she trust her husband or will he hurt her again?

My ThoughtsNed is a light, tortured hero. He’s charming. Ned makes people laugh while privately battling depression. He actively protects his wife from others, but privately creates a distance that wounds her. I did not find him a compelling hero.

Ned’s obstacle had an obvious solution, which Milan seemed to resolve in a realistic way. His repeated internal dialogue regarding his jealousy of Kate’s inner strength and his fear of losing control became frustrating. I didn’t understand why I should care or follow his personal journey to revelation. A happy ending in a historical romance is a given, and I didn’t feel invested in this story’s hero, which made about eighty percent of Trial by Desire a boring read.

Lord Harcroft added the tension this story needed. The last sixty-five pages were the most exciting and felt like a 4 star read. As for Kate, she was a treasure. She is mature and fearless. Her character never breaks, but bends then searches for another way past Ned’s armor.

Overall, this was a 3 star story but it felt like a 2 star read (boring). I’m glad I did not DNF because the last fifteen percent of the book was the best part. Proof of Seduction (book 1) didn't have as smooth a story as this one, but it did have compelling characters.

Memorable Quote

”Do you know what it means, to help me?” He finally spoke against the edge of her collar. He was drifting off to sleep; his eyes would not stay open.

“Of course I do.” She sounded amused. And then she leaned forward. He could feel the bed shift under her weight, the heat of her against his face. Then she kissed his eyelids slowly. “It means I love you.”

A beautiful story with a surprisingly well working mixture of action, aspects of an thriller and well done, if not perfect, characterization.

Lady Kathleen "Kate" Carhart hasn't seen her husband in three years, when he, after only three months of being married, went on an abrupt diplomatic visit to China. Said husband, Ned, comes back to find that his wife hasn't been a meek and silent resident of his country estate, but has some, lets say curious, projects going on.

I must applaud Courtney MilaA beautiful story with a surprisingly well working mixture of action, aspects of an thriller and well done, if not perfect, characterization.

Lady Kathleen "Kate" Carhart hasn't seen her husband in three years, when he, after only three months of being married, went on an abrupt diplomatic visit to China. Said husband, Ned, comes back to find that his wife hasn't been a meek and silent resident of his country estate, but has some, lets say curious, projects going on.

I must applaud Courtney Milan for her ability and talent to create real, authentic, 3D characters. I was able to connect to them on an emotional level, and although that should be a regularly fulfilled requirement, it's hard to find those books. Kate is a strong heroine without any qualms that could've made her into a stubborn, out-of-place and -time shrew. Her strength had a quietness about it, and she wasn't bitter and cold, not tiresomely so at least, despite the fact that she was left alone. I liked that she and Ned were "only" seperated for three years, it has become somehow overused and therefore boring that many of these estranged couples in HR haven't seen each other for ten years.

Ned is a hero I don't have a clear opinion of, but if I would have to decide, I wouldn't vote in his favor. It unnerved me that his disappearance wasn't explained in a way that made me believe it. His reasons behind it were understandable, but I felt his reasoning somehow lacking. He made up for it when he came back, but even then he came across as somehow naive and still not sure of himself, in the beginning. I liked that his attitude towards Kate changed and developed realistically and without any major misunderstandings, but I disliked his stubborn claim not to be a burden to anyone. I hate when conceptions like that are in the hero or heroines mind until the very end, because it's simply frustrating.

As I haven't read book one from this series, I got a good first impression on hero and heroine from that book. Otherwise there is just the villain to mention as a significant secondary character, but he was, other than being a classical, radical misogynist, not very mentionworthy.

That said, Milan created an angsty atmosphere that was quite fetching and fitted the trust conflicts between the characters, their complex minds and thoughts, but also the general plot.

I would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a rather dark and emotional HR and an author in a league with Sherry Thomas and Mary Balogh. ...more

Kate inched her fingers across the coverlet to his free hand. His knuckles were heated, even though he’d been sitting in the cold. “Ned,” she whispered, “let me inside your control.”

We first meet our hero Ned in Proof By Seduction, where we learn he battles many demons, and depression is a big part of his life. At the start of Trial by Desire, Ned is not done battling his demons yet. After only three short months of marriage to Kathleen Carhart, heFavorite Quote: “I don’t like to lose control.”

Kate inched her fingers across the coverlet to his free hand. His knuckles were heated, even though he’d been sitting in the cold. “Ned,” she whispered, “let me inside your control.”

We first meet our hero Ned in Proof By Seduction, where we learn he battles many demons, and depression is a big part of his life. At the start of Trial by Desire, Ned is not done battling his demons yet. After only three short months of marriage to Kathleen Carhart, he feels his control on his life slipping. Desperate to prove to everyone he can take on any job and any situation, he takes himself off to China to look into his family’s investments. Quite a drastic measure, but Ned’s problems just don’t skim the surface of his being. They run very deep, and he needs to remove himself from the new, intense feelings he has for his wife. It is in this three year journey that he wants and needs to prove to people that he is in control of his life.

Kate is devastated to be alone, but she also has a secret. She has started to help women who are being abused by their husbands get away. In 1840 England, women have limited rights, and Kate provides money, food, and shelter to get them to safety. She puts on airs of frivolity and pretends to be obsessed with shopping so people would never suspect she is the brains behind getting these women away from their husbands. All goes well, until she helps her dear friend Louisa and her newborn escape from the very abusive Earl of Harcroft. He is very suspicious of Kate, and what do you know – he shows up at her house to demand where Louisa is the day Ned unexpectedly returns home from China. Kate’s life gets turned upside down – she not only has a husband that has returned whom she does not trust, but a very cruel man keeping a very close eye on her.

I had no idea what to expect from Ned, after meeting him in Proof By Seduction. In that book, he came across as weak, and honestly when I found out he was to be the hero in the next book I wasn’t really excited. However, I adored Proof By Seduction and Courtney Milan’s writing style, so I couldn’t let Trial By Desire pass me by. Good thing for that too! Trial By Desire is an absolutely beautiful book and although we do get a Ned who has been hardened after three years abroad, he still struggles, and we get a very intimate look into his psyche. He is so scared – so frightened that he will lose just a bit of control and slip back into the darkness. He feels this intense need to prove to everyone he is capable of handling everything. When he returns home and truly gets to know his wife, and learns her secrets – he realizes she is so capable and smart. It makes him jealous in a sense and he instantly recognizes that fear again. He also has the desire to take his wife in an unseemly fashion and it scares him. A man in control should have no such thoughts. All of this makes him want to prove even more to her that he is a capable being. When all she wants is to feel safe and secure and just be with him. He is a unique hero – not really alpha, but definitely not a beta. He is tough, and stands up for his wife, but an air of fragility runs through him. In the end, he wants to be a better man for his wife, and that endears him to me in the best possible way.

Kate is a very solid mate for him, and she learns early on of his weaknesses, but makes the decision to be quietly strong for him. I think she gets overshadowed by his character – Ned has so much going on inside and leaves Kate a little in the dust. But I still liked her mature attitude and I loved the way she handles herself with Ned and Harcroft.

The romance in this one is so sensual. It takes about half the book to get there, but oh my does Courtney Milan give us some very nice scenes. I actually enjoyed the bedroom scenes in this one more than her first book. I think part of it is that she gives us some really sexy situations, but more than that, we see Ned lose a bit of that control in each scene, and it just makes them very intimate.

I thought the plot and evil doings of Harcroft present themselves very well too. The mystery becomes much more complicated than what I originally thought would happen.

I recommend you read Proof By Seduction first so you can meet Ned and get his full journey, however, this can be read as a stand alone. Luckily, we only have to wait until January to get another book from Courtney Milan, who is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

I will never ever stop being impressed by Courtney Milan's novels, mostly because not only are they the most helplessly and honestly heartfelt and romantic stories ever, they have such a PROFOUND sense of social justice to them--the plots are intelligent and they mean something and I always want to stand up and cheer and then maybe read a book or two about Victorian legal reform once they're over. God damn, she's my favourite author, and this book was great.

We met Ned Carhart in CM's Proof of Seduction and frankly I loved Ned. He was young and sweet. The glove with the teeth mark scene is still one of the funniest to me. But this story picks up about 3 months after PoS and Ned has married Kate.

Ned though feels that he needs to grow up before he can deserve Kate, so he takes off for China....for 3 years! When our Ned comes back he is a changed man, he has filled out those broad shoulders and cheek bones.

Kate however, isn't impressed she has 3 yearWe met Ned Carhart in CM's Proof of Seduction and frankly I loved Ned. He was young and sweet. The glove with the teeth mark scene is still one of the funniest to me. But this story picks up about 3 months after PoS and Ned has married Kate.

Ned though feels that he needs to grow up before he can deserve Kate, so he takes off for China....for 3 years! When our Ned comes back he is a changed man, he has filled out those broad shoulders and cheek bones.

Kate however, isn't impressed she has 3 years of hurt and anger built up and by god he is going to feel her wrath. Only it is hard to be mad at somebody when you want to kiss the stuffing out of them instead.

Kate also has a big secret and if she reveals any part of her secret then people could get hurt. So what is a woman to do? She wants to trust Ned again, but is afraid he will leave. Ned has his own secrets he is protecting.

Ned really is a changed man and one that I like just as much as the old Ned. CM takes on a very real issue and I think portrays it in a very real manner. I always thought that Kate and Ned were a cute couple and nothing in this book changes my mind. At least we got a famous eyebrow waggle in the end once Ned realized that laughing and loving someone didn't mean the loss of his control that he desperately wanted to maintain. ...more

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

I was hoping against hope that Ned’s book would turn out to be something amazing but came out with a lot of disappointments. The writing was good but there were lack of humorous moments I so enjoyed in Proof by Seduction. I couldn’t connect with the characters, wasn’t really interested in Ned’s monologues on his ‘dark despair’ because I thought he was just wasting time and really got frustrated how he kept on puMy review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...

I was hoping against hope that Ned’s book would turn out to be something amazing but came out with a lot of disappointments. The writing was good but there were lack of humorous moments I so enjoyed in Proof by Seduction. I couldn’t connect with the characters, wasn’t really interested in Ned’s monologues on his ‘dark despair’ because I thought he was just wasting time and really got frustrated how he kept on pushing Kate away, even though he’s the one who left her in the 1st place. I REALLY hate to say this but the whole book was one huge boredom for me. It was a trial for me for sure, mostly because I was very confused about the desire part throughout the book since sexual tension was lacking decidedly in it!

So, the book starts right after Proof by Seduction where we saw Kate and Ned were supposed to get married. After 3 months, Ned just up and leaves for China, just like that! He informs Kate of it the morning he leaves. Whoa! That was just clumsy and beyond rude. We saw Kate is quite attracted to her new husband, wants very much to work it and though we really get no view of their marriage in those 3 months, it seemed like Ned isn’t at all happy. All his issues were, of course, with himself. His ‘dark despair’, the bouts of seasonal depression he had since he was 19 and his constant need to ‘prove’ himself worthy/perfect for everyone. This becomes a HUGE problem for them even when he comes back from China. Kate was really hurt the way Ned left her, I would be too. I wish we had more of those three months because after Ned comes back, I had trouble connecting with whatever actually was their problem. I wasn’t even sure for sometimes if Ned actually consummated the marriage or not. Maybe it was my misunderstanding but for a while I thought he didn’t do the deed... erm. So when Ned was back and I saw no sparks between them (even though the book blurb says otherwise and Kate kept asking for it), I was a bit deflated.

3 years later, Kate now has her own life. She has a secret, which turned out to be not a big secret after all. She saves abused women, mostly by their husband. Her last attempt went a bit beyond her league, this time it’s the wife of a peer of the realm. She saved the woman, Louisa, who’s also her good friend from her husband Harcourt. Louisa just gave birth to a boy but her husband’s uncontrollable anger along with the usage of his fists hasn’t stopped. The man was nasty throughout the book. But Kate was scared not only because he was a peer of the realm but that everybody knew him as a charmingly nice guy. Kate took Louisa to a shepherd’s cottage in her estate (Ned’s one where she resides now), which she has improved for such purpose. I liked the beginning here, how she saw Ned again, who came back without informing anyone of his arrival. Ned had beard and rescues Kate from a disaster waiting to be happened on the way. Kate was in disguise, just coming back from visiting Louisa. Kate couldn’t recognize her own husband not only because of the beard but also, apparently he’s matured bodily quite well. No longer the awkward, lanky young man he used to be. But whatever it was, I didn’t think he matured in any other way for that matter.

So their days together start. So are troubles with trusting each-other. Ned was still striving for that perfection in himself and dealing with his depression by doing manual labor and forgoing almost all kinds of comfort, i.e. fire in a cold night or sex with his own wife. I liked that he was celibate in China but I was equally pissed that even thought Kate wanted it, he wouldn’t and it’s not because he didn’t want her. Most of the confusions/misunderstandings created betwen them, IMO, were not that big and I thought this book had no plot for a full novel. I’d rather read a full novel of “This Wicked Gift” from The Heart of Christmas: A Handful of Gold\ The Season for Suitors\ This Wicked Gift, which was a wonderful novella by CM. Where was the magic of that novella? So, I totally felt the book was dragging and Ned’s musings were just repetitions after repetitions of the same thing. Honestly, it gets old after sometimes!

Kate knew that Harcourt was a very close friend of Ned, so she was pretty sure that Ned would support the man instead of her. This confusion also went on for the most part of the book. Ned wanted Kate to come to him on her own and not to perform her duty. Why couldn’t Kate just grab him by the tail and show that she wants him because she really wants him and not for her duty? Why did Ned keep on thinking he isn’t worthy of her? I mean they were both perfectly nice people, wanting to work on their marriage after the way Ned bungled it but hell, I didn’t really see their problem! As I said, not a ‘real’ problem in that sense. Then, even when Ned confessed to Kate about his problem, Kate wanted to help him and Ned didn’t want any help from anyone because asking for help made him feel ‘small and incompetent’. I thought Ned’s problems were very real but wow, reading about those felt like such a baggage, especially that he kept on pushing Kate away, over and over again.

I already mentioned their sex life. When the 1st sex scene finally happened, it wasn’t anything explosive or special IMO, considering how Ned and Kate felt about the whole thing. Then, even after they had sex, I felt no sexual tension. Is it really possible? If I kinda knew how their life was together just after their marriage, I’d had some basis for comparison but without it, I had no idea how to judge as to if things are going good or bad. Ned or Kate’s musings really didn’t help in this regard. We just know that they both desired each-other, so after such long time... I don’t know I felt nothing; no steam, no chemistry, nothing. It was worse because these two were perfectly fine individuals and there shouldn’t have been any problem with some chemistry at least.

Then of course, I was distracted by Louisa and Harcourt’s problem. Kate hides it from them all, including Gareth and Jenny. Kate thought these two didn’t like her. Because of Ned’s departure and the bad times that followed her, Kate kinda isolated herself from Ned’s family. And she very carefully cultivated this image of herself; the air-headed Duke’s daughter who knows nothing but shopping and perhaps a little of hosting parties and so on. It worked just fine for her secret mission. Even Gareth thought she was useless. Harcourt comes back, over and over again, to Ned’s estate because he was very suspicious of Kate from the beginning. At first, Ned helped him search the property and look for trails. But soon, Ned finds out the truth all by himself. Kate had already warned Louisa of it. I liked the scene, the way Ned helped Louisa understand that whatever her husband does to her, it’s got nothing at all to do with the woman she is. Yah, Ned knew of Harcourt’s problem because of one fine, drunken day in their Cambridge years, Harcourt blurted out his problems as Ned talked about his own. After that, Ned and Harcourt never talked about that day again but Ned was disturbed anyway. Yet, he never suspected that Harcourt might treat his wife so badly. Anyway, Ned doesn’t tell Kate but he is impressed nonetheless. Meanwhile, Kate is still confused over if or not to trust Ned about her secret mission. Harcourt tries to harm Kate before he leaves, to get information out of her but Ned saves her. He threatens Harcourt too but the guy leaves promising revenge. From there, they pick up on their marriage (and the sex life) or so to speak. Ned comes out with some of his troubles to Kate, yet not all. He was also scared that Kate would deem him unworthy if she knew of his afflictions. Yah, it was confusing and utterly annoying!

Soon Harcourt makes trouble for them, again. Not surprising as they were expecting it but didn’t know in form he’d attack. As Ned and Kate go to London, Harcourt brings charges on Kate for abducting his wife/encouraging his wife to leave him (something like that). After she was temporarily released from jail, they go back to their townhouse and talk. Ned tells Kate that he knows of her little secret. Kate was surprised but not shocked or anything because Ned said he was perfectly ok with her work. So, again, what was the problem, hmm? Ned goes to bring Louisa back to prove Kate’s innocence. On his way back at night, he has an accident and breaks his leg. What I couldn’t believe that with a broken leg (his horse, I believe, landed on his leg briefly before it ran away) he walked on for 5 miles (his ego on proving himself ‘worthy’) and brought Louisa back to London the next day while Kate’s trial. REALLY? The whole thing was solved soon as the case was dismissed against Kate. Yet Kate, looking at Ned’s disheveled state, couldn’t even guess that he has broken a leg or he’s doing really poorly or even that he’s in pain? Is that at all possible?! After that, when Kate wanted to help him and tried to make him see that taking help doesn’t mean he’s incompetent, he still wouldn’t co-operate and in the process, hurts Kate again. He tells her what in reality happened in China (to make her understand how unworthy he truly is!) while he was working for Gareth, that he was so depressed he was considering suicide. It should’ve been gripping but Lord, I had lost all my interest in the book by then, just flipping through it. After much thought, Kate does something else to salvage her marriage but I couldn’t believe that her ‘little talk’ made Ned see reasons he didn’t throughout the book. Right!

There was a little drama taking place afterwards, in a ball, to prove to the Lord Chancellor that Harcourt was brutalizing his wife but I didn’t care much for it. This thing already distracted me enough from Kate and Ned’s story, when it should’ve been them working on their own personal issues.

The ending was ok, showing that Ned is trying to come to terms with his troubles and live life to the fullest through all those, with Kate’s help of course. I don’t know because I wasn’t convinced there’s a HEA for them. I think there’d always be trouble because Ned would never be cured of his problem. And if he kept doing what he did throughout the book, I don’t see how they could be happy together! I am very unhappy because with such premise, if the plot was good with a strong storyline, it could’ve been a great book IMO. Ned was a very ‘real’ character yet an unusual HR hero while Kate was already an interesting heroine. But, CM couldn’t really utilize their potentials to the max.

3 stars, essentially for the writing. Also because as characters, I liked Ned and Kate. Definitely loved reading about Gareth and Jenny. I think I’ll give the Turner series a try.

I originally read "Trial by Desire" in June of 2011, but I decided to re-read it in audiobook form and return to the book because I really enjoyed it. Lady Kate and Ned were both wonderful characters to get to know in the mix of events. I loved the opening of the novel where the two are reunited after quite some time apart. It takes place after the events of "Proof of Seduction" - where Ned returns from his travels as a more mature gentleman, though left unspoken - he still has his own internalI originally read "Trial by Desire" in June of 2011, but I decided to re-read it in audiobook form and return to the book because I really enjoyed it. Lady Kate and Ned were both wonderful characters to get to know in the mix of events. I loved the opening of the novel where the two are reunited after quite some time apart. It takes place after the events of "Proof of Seduction" - where Ned returns from his travels as a more mature gentleman, though left unspoken - he still has his own internal battles to fight against. Kate's distraught because Ned left against her wishes, and she's taken on a number of responsibilities in the time he's been gone. The two reunite and come to terms with each other in the midst of a difficult situation involving Lady Harcroft and her husband. Lady Louisa Harcroft left her husband with her child to escape his torrential abuse, and Kate had helped her along in the process. Unfortunately, that help can only remain a secret for so long as Lord Harcroft starts to suspect Kate was involved in his wife's disappearance.

I loved the development of the characters in this novel. Kate is a strong heroine who stands her ground and can fend for herself when faced with a number of difficult challenges. Ned has the right balance of strength and insecurity for a hero, making him identifiable as well as quite matured since the events of the previous novel. The way the two learn about how they've changed over the years and come to terms in their relationship is alluring and radiates with distinct emotional resonance. Even the conflict involving Lady Louisa and Lord Harcourt took on a vivid, contentious tone. The plot is well paced and engaging from beginning to end, while managing to take all of the perspectives and present them in ways that are engaging to read - sometimes humorous and lighthearted without being too quirky, while in others Milan shows the grief and inner/outer turmoils they wrestle with.

I definitely plan on reading more of Milan's work in the future, and I would recommend reading "Trial By Desire" as a wonderful follow-up to "Proof of Seduction."

Ned Carhart, after a 3-year long (sort of) self exile to China, returns home to England to a less than warm welcome from his disillusioned wife Lady Kate Carhart. Theirs' was a marriage of convenience, yet rooted in an undeniable attraction. That is until Ned decided to up and leave Kate a few months after their wedding in order to prove himself useful (something he's never felt to be) and protect her from the darkness that creeps up in moments when control evades him. Unfortunately4-4.5 stars.

Ned Carhart, after a 3-year long (sort of) self exile to China, returns home to England to a less than warm welcome from his disillusioned wife Lady Kate Carhart. Theirs' was a marriage of convenience, yet rooted in an undeniable attraction. That is until Ned decided to up and leave Kate a few months after their wedding in order to prove himself useful (something he's never felt to be) and protect her from the darkness that creeps up in moments when control evades him. Unfortunately Kate isn't aware of any of this because he never bothered to tell her. So in his absence, feeling unfulfilled and left behind, Kate dedicates her life to saving women trapped in bad marriages. But when Ned's presence threatens to reveal her latest rescue mission, Kate must confront her conflicting feelings for her husband and in the process, discovers that just like her, there's more to Ned than just what appears on the surface.

The push and pull of their relationship would have usually rubbed me the wrong way but in this instance, it made sense. It took time for Kate and Ned to not only get to know each other again, their true selves this time, but also to develop trust and intimacy (not just sex). To communicate honestly about every fear, every hurt, every regret, every pain, until no pretenses existed between them, only trust and love.

Ned's fears of losing control and slipping into the dark pit of despair he himself doesn't even truly understand prevented him from letting Kate get too close. Kate likewise had fears of her own. Fears of being vulnerable and viewed as weak. Ned's quick humor and Kate's perceived coldness were but masks they wore to hide who they really were. Both had a lot of growing and maturing to do and it was so amazing to see how they vanquished each other's demons, together.

"You seem to be operating on the belief that when I tell you I want to help, that I want to swaddle you up so you can't move and do everything for you. That's not what it means, Ned. I want to help you. And if what you need is to make sure you feel strong, I will help you feel strong. If you need me to set an impossible task just so you can complete it before breakfast, send me the word, and I'll find you a dragon to tame. 'Help' need not be an empty, cloying affair. Sometimes...it really can help. You don't have to do everything alone anymore, Ned. Let me walk with you."

I was trying to remember why I didn't read Trial by Desire immediately after finishing Proof by Seduction. Maybe it was because the latter didn't capture me as much as I would've hoped. Not that it was a bad book by any means, especially given the fact that it was Courtney Milan's first published book ever. But what Trial by Desire proved, as I've said many times before, is that Courtney gets better and more daring with every book she writes. Whether it be social issues, human rights, mental health, politics or law, she goes there. Full throttle. She's unafraid to explore types of subjects that aren't often seen in HRs. Trial by Desire not only touches base on abusive relationships, but also depression. And given the time period where husbands held sole power over their wives and depression hadn't even been discovered yet, let alone something one acknowledged to feeling, Courtney managed to portray both subjects exceedingly well and accurately....more

I’d been saving this book, so I could savour it whenever I felt like I needed to read a really good romance novel. After the last couple of months, it felt like it was time.

Trial by Desire is a sequel to Proof by Seduction and although the couple set up is much more believable than in its prequel, the romance itself isn’t.

A scandal forced Ned and Kate to marry, but it was clear that both of them—Ned—at least needed to grow up in leaps and bounds for them to earn their (belQuite disappointing.

I’d been saving this book, so I could savour it whenever I felt like I needed to read a really good romance novel. After the last couple of months, it felt like it was time.

Trial by Desire is a sequel to Proof by Seduction and although the couple set up is much more believable than in its prequel, the romance itself isn’t.

A scandal forced Ned and Kate to marry, but it was clear that both of them—Ned—at least needed to grow up in leaps and bounds for them to earn their (believable) happy ever after mandated by the genre. Milan’s solution is to send Ned away soon after the nuptials for three years and let him grow up into a capable man abroad.

Ned does grow up. When he comes back he’s a changed man and his reunion with his estranged wife is promising. Of course there are the familiar tropes keeping them apart: Miscommunication and a caricature villain. I’m wretchedly disappointed in the villain’s characterisation as the early promise of a multilayered characterisation for the domestic abuser is never realised. He has his internal logic that justifies the abuse but the reader is never shown why he thinks that way. Other than it’s assumed the period explains men’s attitudes towards women.

Even so, one man wanting his runaway wife back isn’t what stands between Ned and Kate and their happiness. It’s Ned himself. Milan tackles an important issue by making Ned bipolar—I assume that’s the correct diagnosis—and showing people have battled with mental illness before they had names for them. As admirable as it is to see Ned find his own solution for his mood swings, it doesn’t change the fact that his dogged insistence to cope on his own is what destroys the romance. The constant repetition of his desire to be the hero and secrets kept until the very end, don’t make him good husband material. He may have learned to stand on his own feet, but Ned doesn’t believably learn to lean on his wife, which leaves their marriage a sham.

Worse than Ned’s inability to transform from an independent man into a half a married couple, is how Kate’s plot is handled. She’s supposed to be saving battered wives from their husbands and an early feminist who learns to win her own battles, but time and time again Ned rushes to her rescue. He saves her both from a physical and a juridical attack. He’s the one who comes up with the final solution. Having read Kate’s story makes me appreciate Margaret and Jessica and all the other Milan heroines that much more.

The writing itself is uneven—which still occasionally true for Milan’s novels—and the story is boring. There are hideous amounts of telling and horrible smut euphemisms I wish never to see in a romance book again. Milan kept me engaged with the story at times but only at times.

I feel like I’ve read the worst Milan has to offer and I can go back to waiting for her next book. At least I know most of these novice mistakes won’t be repeated quite as blatantly ever again. ...more

Lady Kate and Ned are found in a compromising position and are required to marry in order to save face. However three months into the marriage Ned decides he must go on a mission to China which leaves his new wife in a scandalous position. Three years pass and both Kate and Ned are quite aware of how little they know of one another. Thus the story begins on how they find their way to happiness.

I really liked Kate she had quite a bit of spunk as well as practicality. Ned was also an interesting cLady Kate and Ned are found in a compromising position and are required to marry in order to save face. However three months into the marriage Ned decides he must go on a mission to China which leaves his new wife in a scandalous position. Three years pass and both Kate and Ned are quite aware of how little they know of one another. Thus the story begins on how they find their way to happiness.

I really liked Kate she had quite a bit of spunk as well as practicality. Ned was also an interesting character but it took almost two thirds of the book before you understand what is going on with him. I thought it was also well done how the author incorporated social problems such as spousal abuse and episodes of depression

I picked this book up in the library and did not realize it was book two in the series, book one is Proof by Seduction. I wonder if I would have understood Ned better if I had read that one first. At any rate it was odd because I never quite got a feel for Ned, he kept calling this thing a beast but I was not sure what the beast was. This kind of took away from the romance part and his habits just seemed weird. Having said that it does come together toward the end but by that time it was a bit to late. The other odd thing is that I would have liked to see Kate with her friends or family it feels like you only see this very narrow part of her character which lessens the impact of her strategic skills in hiding women.

Three years ago, Ned and Kate were forced into a marriage of convenience. Shortly afterward, Ned left to travel halfway around the world. Now he has returned to England, intending to prove to his wife that he has grown beyond the awkward youth she married. But as far as Kate is concerned, he showed his true colors when he abandoned her, a desertion that inspired the cruelties and vicious gossip of high society. Kate herself has a secret; she's been smuggling battered wives away from their husbanThree years ago, Ned and Kate were forced into a marriage of convenience. Shortly afterward, Ned left to travel halfway around the world. Now he has returned to England, intending to prove to his wife that he has grown beyond the awkward youth she married. But as far as Kate is concerned, he showed his true colors when he abandoned her, a desertion that inspired the cruelties and vicious gossip of high society. Kate herself has a secret; she's been smuggling battered wives away from their husbands, and her most recent rescue is the wife of Ned's best friend. Ned owes this friend a great debt of gratitude, one he will do anything to repay...including help search for the missing, presumably kidnapped wife.

I read this book start to finish in one evening. I had promised myself that at the halfway mark I would set the book down and tend to my work, but that turned into "Just one more chapter...just one more chapter..." until I found myself at the epilogue. The story felt so real I was dragged in. I honestly could not set it down.

On reflection, I think this book is even better than its prequel, Proof by Seduction. The chemistry between Ned and Kate is immediate. More than that, they fit together. Each of them has strengths to complement the other's weakness. From their first meeting I felt the sparks between them. But each of them had their own reasons for not surrendering to their desires just yet. Ned abandoned his wife when he left on his journey of self-discovery. Kate has struggled all her life to prove herself more than a useless woman.

This isn't a gushy, gooey romance where everyone is mired down in purple prose. It's a story of real people and the work they have to do to be together. Because let's face it, relationships are work. You have to compromise and trust. When you give your heart to someone, you're giving them the power to break it and that's scary.

To be together, Kate and Ned have to build a strong marriage not just from the ground up, but over the shattered remains of their previous attempt. That takes work and compromise and a leap of faith or ten. Neither of them has any guarantee that the other will not betray them, that Ned will not undo Kate's attempt to protect her friend or that Kate will not undermine Ned's efforts to take charge of his own destiny.

I was also pleased with the main conflict of the novel, Louisa and her abusive husband the Earl of Harcroft. The villain was well done; he's sincere and charming as long as he gets his own way. And when he's denied he isn't stupid enough to betray himself in public; he waits until an opportunity for revenge presents itself. Kate's description of battered women rings true. And I love Louisa's steel determination to protect her son, even though she allowed Harcroft to beat her so badly she couldn't get out of bed afterward. That's also realistic for a mother to take better care of her children than herself.

The book does come with cardboard ads between the pages, an obnoxious inconvenience, but with care and patience it is possible to rip them out with damaging the book. The fault lies with the publisher, not the author.

The hero in this story, Ned Carhart, struggles with bipolar disorder. That's new. It isn't often you come across a romance hero that has to deal with and come to terms with being truly helpless and powerless (in this case brought down even more low by his depressive episodes). Of course being the hero, he strives and does rise above it, but the author managed a nice balance in showing just how desperately difficult it was for someone like him to do so without stripping him of the qualities thatThe hero in this story, Ned Carhart, struggles with bipolar disorder. That's new. It isn't often you come across a romance hero that has to deal with and come to terms with being truly helpless and powerless (in this case brought down even more low by his depressive episodes). Of course being the hero, he strives and does rise above it, but the author managed a nice balance in showing just how desperately difficult it was for someone like him to do so without stripping him of the qualities that make a romance hero (namely, the ability to build trust in the reader of his continuing competence.) I have not read the first book in which Ned appears so I also wonder if I might have even better appreciated his growth if I did.

Lady Kathleen Carhart is a delight; part idealistic, part practical and wholly likeable, she carries around a bit of baggage herself (courtesy of Ned's abandonment, among other things). She's clever and competent, but has had to hide away that part of herself in order to continue her work with helping abused wives escape their husbands. Even though she's aware of the necessity of playing the fool (though I personally don't know how anyone could mistake her for one, her intelligence rings so clearly to me in normal conversation), being the only one who knows the truth of who she really is combined with society's disparaging impressions of her has taken a toll on her self-esteem. In the end, this book is about how both of them come to reaffirm each other's strengths and beliefs in their selves.

One last point I appreciated was how real the villain was. He wasn't just token evil to the core, he was someone who had done some good, a lot of bad, and ultimately he felt like someone that I could imagine existing rather than just a caricature representation of evil. And like the characters, by the end of the story all I really wanted was to neutralize the bad he could do and took no pleasure in the idea of revenge (although justice was served - very fairly too), as he wasn't 'Othered' in my mind the way most villains are in real life as well as in fiction. All the characters were very humanized in this book. Kudos for that....more

Reading Log Day 1I started reading this afternoon and I'm hooked! I would be reading still but I had to come here and share my first impressions with you. :)

Lady Kate Carhart will be a fun character to get to know. She has spunk, secrets, and a caring heart. I have a feeling that she will be giving me many smiles and bursts of laughter throughout her story. Ned, her husband, thinks he has grown up in the three years he has been gone. LOL I can tell he has a lot to learn yet about what his wife wReading Log Day 1I started reading this afternoon and I'm hooked! I would be reading still but I had to come here and share my first impressions with you. :)

Lady Kate Carhart will be a fun character to get to know. She has spunk, secrets, and a caring heart. I have a feeling that she will be giving me many smiles and bursts of laughter throughout her story. Ned, her husband, thinks he has grown up in the three years he has been gone. LOL I can tell he has a lot to learn yet about what his wife wants and needs from him. I can't wait for Kate to teach him a thing or two. Besides, I'm thinking he deserves a few "lessons" for leaving her just three months after their wedding!

Courtney Milan has an easy flowing style about her writing that has me flipping the pages as quickly as I can. I would love to hear your impressions.

Reading Log Day 2What more can Kate do or say to make Ned aware of her feelings? Ned needs to let go and act on his impulses. I have a very good feeling that Kate would be willing. However, that pesky emotion, trust, keeps messing things up. I've always said that trust is the most important thing for a successful marriage and the next is communication, so I can understand the struggle they are both facing. I just want to step into the story and take them both in hand. "sigh" Between both their secrets and fears, I think Ms. Milan has her work cut out for her. A HEA is a long ways off yet. I have all confidence that she will pull it off with style!

Did you ever feel like jumping in and helping Kate and Ned?

Reading log Day 3

Oh the story just keeps getting better and better. Kate is in so much trouble. Her friend's husband is getting desperate and taking his anger out on her. She is a strong woman though and does not back down from his bullying. Ned helps but once they go to London things get really bad. Kate actually gets into even more trouble and the law gets involved! Will Ned be able to think of a way out the royal mess she finds herself and still keep her friend safe? I can't wait to find out.

Even with everything that is going on, I think Ned and Kate have a real chance to make their marriage work if they ever get the time. What about you?

Reading log Day 4

Excellent ending, very clever how Ned handled the Lord Chancellor. Ned had so many issues to work through and when he finally reveals what happened in China, I found myself holding my breath even though I knew he would return to claim his wife (or else Kate's story would have been entirely different, LOL). His encounter with Champion near the end of the book had me extremely worried with the way that Ms. Milan left me in suspense! You'll just have to read it to understand when I say that was cruel. :) I was tempted to skip ahead to find out what happened.

Overall, I really enjoyed Trial by Desire. I would have read it in one day if I wasn't plagued with headaches this week. It is so irritating to have my reading time interrupted especially when I am having a good time getting to know all the characters and getting lost in their world. I think my favorite scene is when Ned collects on the wager. Did you have a favorite quote or scene?

I'm starting Saving Max tonight and I hope you will join in and share your thoughts with me.Happy reading,Kim S., Harlequin Books Ambassador...more

This book starts in a way that belies is depth, complexity, and brilliance. It seems like you're about to get an average "reunion" romance, but in the end, you get so much more. This is not your average historical romance, but then, I know its author well enough never to expect anything "average" from her.

For me, I'll admit the book started a bit slowly. It wasn't that I was BORED, mind you, but rather that it wasn't until I got about 125 pages into the story that I had the absolutely compulsiveThis book starts in a way that belies is depth, complexity, and brilliance. It seems like you're about to get an average "reunion" romance, but in the end, you get so much more. This is not your average historical romance, but then, I know its author well enough never to expect anything "average" from her.

For me, I'll admit the book started a bit slowly. It wasn't that I was BORED, mind you, but rather that it wasn't until I got about 125 pages into the story that I had the absolutely compulsive need to keep going, to keep reading, to find out what would happen next. I've seen several reviewers mention that they put it down after about 100-125 pages and I just have to urge them to pick it up and give the story another chance to grab them. Because when it grabbed me, it did so with a vengeance and wouldn't let go.

In addition to recommending this book to those who love the meatier romances written by the likes of Laura Kinsale, I'd strongly encourage those who don't believe they like romance at all to give TRIAL BY DESIRE a change. It's beautifully written, the characters are witty yet utterly believable, and the story leaves you with plenty of philosophical ideas to mull long after you finish reading....more

Oh, I so wanted to love, love, love this book and it just wasn't there. Ms Milan is a very graceful writer. Her prose sparkles, her characters are nicely fleshed out. But, I just didn't feel any connection to them.

And, I will be blunt, the book felt padded. There were scenes, and even set bits of dialog, that were repeated, some three or more times. Uh-oh--editor falling down on job? Word count needed? I don't know, but every time I encountered one of these I was pulled right out of the story.ThOh, I so wanted to love, love, love this book and it just wasn't there. Ms Milan is a very graceful writer. Her prose sparkles, her characters are nicely fleshed out. But, I just didn't feel any connection to them.

And, I will be blunt, the book felt padded. There were scenes, and even set bits of dialog, that were repeated, some three or more times. Uh-oh--editor falling down on job? Word count needed? I don't know, but every time I encountered one of these I was pulled right out of the story.The book starts off great, ends with a nice bit of action (not very probable, but very satisfactory). But the big middle--yawn. I just wanted to smack both Ned and Kate and yell "Enough already! Get on with it! Talk to each other instead of all this silent ruminating!" Of course, if they had talked to each other earlier in the story, it would have been 50 or so pages shorter. And that might not have been a bad thing.

But I haven't given up on the author--I'll definitely be reading her next one. ...more

This was a good book. But, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed. I think I just got rather impatient with all the excuses both parties kept coming up with for their fears.

This story is about Ned and Kate. In the previous book, Proof by Seduction, we learn that Ned is forced to marry Kate having put her in a compromising position. So, he marries her and promptly leaves for 3 years after only 3 months of marriage. This story begins with his return.

Kate is used to being on her own by now, but isThis was a good book. But, I must admit, I was a bit disappointed. I think I just got rather impatient with all the excuses both parties kept coming up with for their fears.

This story is about Ned and Kate. In the previous book, Proof by Seduction, we learn that Ned is forced to marry Kate having put her in a compromising position. So, he marries her and promptly leaves for 3 years after only 3 months of marriage. This story begins with his return.

Kate is used to being on her own by now, but is willing to try to make the best of her marriage. Ned, on the other hand, suffers from some bouts of what appears to be severe depression. Throughout the book we see the both of them trying to deal with everything by themselves. They don't try to work together until the very end.

It had a good, satisfying ending. Just frustrating for me getting there. I think that perhaps I don't really understand what it's like to suffer from this type of depression. It was a good story, though. I'm glad I read it.

PS-I loved this cover! It really appeals to me the way the model portraying Ned stares into you with those bedroom eyes and his somewhat disheveled hair. Sexy!...more

I liked this one more than the first, but still not enough to give it four stars. I sympathized with Ned, and I can't imagine how difficult it was to deal with something like depression during a time when people didn't even understand what it was. His protestations about not wanting to be a burden made sense in that context. I liked Kate, but she was harder to sympathize with since she tended to bury her feelings under heavy layers of what she believed to be practicality. Still, the writing andI liked this one more than the first, but still not enough to give it four stars. I sympathized with Ned, and I can't imagine how difficult it was to deal with something like depression during a time when people didn't even understand what it was. His protestations about not wanting to be a burden made sense in that context. I liked Kate, but she was harder to sympathize with since she tended to bury her feelings under heavy layers of what she believed to be practicality. Still, the writing and pacing were good, and the plot was original. I enjoyed the contrast between the dynamics of the different relationships; the abusive dynamics of the Harcrofts, the seemingly ill-matched but really supportive Blakelys, and the strained, maturing partnership of the Carharts....more

The second in the Carhart series. I enjoyed it more than the first novella, but not as much as Proof by Seduction. The book picks up with the tale of Ned and Katherine (Kate) In Seduction, Ned had been trying to ensure that Kate married his uncle by placing them in a compromising position. His plan failed and he found himself in a compromising position with the daughter of the most prominent Duke in England. Forced to marry, Kate hoped for the best. She found Ned attractive and enjoyed his compaThe second in the Carhart series. I enjoyed it more than the first novella, but not as much as Proof by Seduction. The book picks up with the tale of Ned and Katherine (Kate) In Seduction, Ned had been trying to ensure that Kate married his uncle by placing them in a compromising position. His plan failed and he found himself in a compromising position with the daughter of the most prominent Duke in England. Forced to marry, Kate hoped for the best. She found Ned attractive and enjoyed his company. We learn in the prologue that Ned, suffering from undiagnosed depression, was not ready for the marriage and shortly after the wedding, he left for the far East to investigate problems with his family’s business and to prove himself.

As the book opens, Kate is helping a friend escape from a violent marriage when a strange man appears, her long missing husband. The remainder of the book focuses on whether they can reconcile and make a real marriage.

Although Ned at times could be annoying, I enjoyed how their relationship built throughout the book. Torn between 3 and 4. Compared to other Milan books, closer to 3, but compared to other romances definitely 4. So 3.5 rounded up. ...more

After finishing Trial by Desire, I experienced a brief---but strong---moment of woe and panic when I thought it was the last Courtney Milan book I haven't read. But lo! I have another one. Crisis averted. But this is the state I get in over Courtney Milan's books.

After Proof by Seduction (book 1), I was curious what would happen to Ned. Because Ned landed himself in a marriage and he wasn't handling it very well. And while I understood, I also hated what was happening to Kate as a result.

So thenAfter finishing Trial by Desire, I experienced a brief---but strong---moment of woe and panic when I thought it was the last Courtney Milan book I haven't read. But lo! I have another one. Crisis averted. But this is the state I get in over Courtney Milan's books.

After Proof by Seduction (book 1), I was curious what would happen to Ned. Because Ned landed himself in a marriage and he wasn't handling it very well. And while I understood, I also hated what was happening to Kate as a result.

So then there was this book.

And I'm glad there was this book. Ned is back and different, but still Ned. And Kate has always been there and she's persevered and made something of herself, even if no one knows what that is. (Because secrets. And trouble.)

But I'm glad that the two came together. I like my HEA. This one wasn't quite as emotional as the first book, but... it still made me happy. Ned needed his story. Kate needed someone to believe in her. And, you know. Bad man got his comeuppance. Always a win....more

In the afterword, Milan freely admits that this was her most difficult novel, and unfortunately, it shows.

There are a couple different issues here. First is Ned's manic-depression, which she actually handles relatively gracefully. Second is the remarriage plot--when you're writing about Victorians, divorce really isn't much of an option. So writing troubled marriages when the parties can't easily walk away is tricky. She does ok at this.

I think the real problem, though, is a bait-and-switch frIn the afterword, Milan freely admits that this was her most difficult novel, and unfortunately, it shows.

There are a couple different issues here. First is Ned's manic-depression, which she actually handles relatively gracefully. Second is the remarriage plot--when you're writing about Victorians, divorce really isn't much of an option. So writing troubled marriages when the parties can't easily walk away is tricky. She does ok at this.

I think the real problem, though, is a bait-and-switch from her attempt to shoehorn this into a series. Ned and Kate are supporting cast in a previous novel. I was looking forward to reading about the inadvertent marriage between the naive screw up and the socialite who seems to be charmed by him. I wanted to see Ned grow up and figure out that Kate married him on purpose.

Instead, immediately after their wedding, Milan sends Ned to China for several years. When we pick up again, it's like the characters have had radical personality transplants. Basically, they are not actually the same characters as we were promised. She had a story for entirely different characters, and awkwardly grafted it into an existing series. The attempts to reconcile the two are where the strain really shows.

TRIAL BY DESIRE is the second novel in the Carhart series. It is the sequel to PROOF BY SEDUCTION and fans of that book will be happy to see Ned Carhart get his happy ever after. In PERIOD BY SEDUCTION, Ned gets married after mistakenly compromising Lady Kathleen. This book takes place three years later. Ned, who is bipolar (though it is never called as such in the book) left because of his struggles with depression. He has now returned to a wife he barely knows. Kate has spent thUnique Concept

TRIAL BY DESIRE is the second novel in the Carhart series. It is the sequel to PROOF BY SEDUCTION and fans of that book will be happy to see Ned Carhart get his happy ever after. In PERIOD BY SEDUCTION, Ned gets married after mistakenly compromising Lady Kathleen. This book takes place three years later. Ned, who is bipolar (though it is never called as such in the book) left because of his struggles with depression. He has now returned to a wife he barely knows. Kate has spent the years that Ned has been away helping women flee their abusive husbands.

This story is about two people who have secrets and yet are married. I liked how Milan makes these two characters struggle. There are no magic answers in this book. At the end, Ned still struggles, but has learned to struggle with Kate. I thought that was a wonderful and hopeful message.

The edition I read is an enhanced version that includes some additional material from the author including deleted scenes, commentary, pictures and some small audio clips. While these enhancements are not extensive, they are an interesting addition. For example, I learned how difficult this book was for Milan to write and how many problems she still had with it....more

I know, I know. I'm giving five stars, a rarity, to a book even the author admits is not her favorite by a long shot. But this story is deep and the lessons I learned are important. Courtney Milan doesn't just write emotions and therefore they are. She writes and the emotions bloom like time-lapse photography. I think she picked a nearly impossible scenario to write a romance on and made it possible. I have no question in my mind that Ned loves Kate and Kate loves Ned. I have no question in my mI know, I know. I'm giving five stars, a rarity, to a book even the author admits is not her favorite by a long shot. But this story is deep and the lessons I learned are important. Courtney Milan doesn't just write emotions and therefore they are. She writes and the emotions bloom like time-lapse photography. I think she picked a nearly impossible scenario to write a romance on and made it possible. I have no question in my mind that Ned loves Kate and Kate loves Ned. I have no question in my mind what inner strength is and how it is manifest in a relationship between two people who desire to be self-sufficient and a loving team at the same time. I also read examples of the type of self-sacrifice that true love requires.

Sometimes I want to laugh when I read romance, I have my authors for that. Sometimes I want to delve deep into a philosophical realm and ask myself difficult questions. When I am in that place, I hope to find answers. This story has those answers. It models complicated but positive responses to difficult situations. I love the idea that a hero doesn't necessarily slay dragons but tames them. That means that whatever the dragon, however many the dragons, control over them is possible and without violence.

Had heard this was Ms. Milan's weakest effort as an author, and now I see why. It was just sort of meh, mostly because it was never really clear why exactly it was sooooo important for Ned to maintain his control. I know they didn't have words back then for conditions like depression and bipolar, one or both of which Ned seems to have, but Ned is just so mysterious the whole time it's very frustrating. I liked Kate, though. She was pretty cool.

Courtney Milan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, a marginally-trained dog, and an attack cat. Courtney wishes she could say she has lived in numerous fabulous places. But aside from her husband, there is a distinct lack of fabulousness in her life. Instead, she is happy when standards in the Milan household hover above mediocrity. Her husband attempts not to kill people for a livingCourtney Milan lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, a marginally-trained dog, and an attack cat. Courtney wishes she could say she has lived in numerous fabulous places. But aside from her husband, there is a distinct lack of fabulousness in her life. Instead, she is happy when standards in the Milan household hover above mediocrity. Her husband attempts not to kill people for a living.[1] In exchange, Courtney attempts not to do the dishes.

Before she started writing historical romance, Courtney experimented with various occupations: computer programming, dog-training, scientificating... Having given up on being able to do any of those things, she's taken to heart the axiom that those who can't do, teach. When she's not reading (lots), writing (lots), or sleeping (not enough), she can be found in the vicinity of a classroom.

---

1. The astute reader will notice that this sentence can be read as either "Courtney's husband attempts to make his living by means other than offing unsuspecting passersby," or as "Courtney's husband, while making a living, tries not to leave dead bodies in his wake." Luckily, both are true. Although it must be admitted that Mr. Milan has had greater success with the former....more

“Our marriage lasted a few months. Once you left, what remained faded faster than the ink on the license. And what's left..well, it could blow away in one tiny puff of wind.""Well,then." he spoke with an air of certainty. "I'll try not to exhale.""Don't bother. I stopped holding my breath years before.”
—
5 likes

“Some servent with no sense of the symbolic had kept the hinges well-oiled during the years of his absence,as if their marital life had merely been cast into temporary abeyance.”
—
3 likes